Yuet Lee

[FattyDumplin]

Had a free lunch today in the city and decided to swing by Yuet Lee. I'd been a long time ago (10+ years) before I really came to enjoy eating, but the decor hasn't changed one bit. I decided to start with the roast squab and then added on the ginger-scallion dungeness crab. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy as a solo diner, but frankly, it wasn't that much food given I didn't eat rice.

The squab was fantastic. Crisp skin. Bones fried to a crisp, i.e. could hold the head like a lollipop (by the beak) and just crunch down on the entire orb. And meat all just the right side of medium rare, with a slightly pink center. I absolutely loved this dish. It was my first time eating squab, as I've always had duck / quail, but this immediately jumps to the top of my edible bird list. Maybe tied with goose...

The dungeness crab? Wow. I've never had live, in-season, locally sourced dungeness. I had no idea what I was missing. The flesh was sweet, tender and so fresh tasting. The ginger scallion was great, but in reality, I probably didn't need it. In all likelihood, I am going to swing by and pick up a steamed (no sauce) crab tomorrow for lunch before I leave the city.

I know Yuet Lee gets great reviews and I am glad I listened. Great meal and a new appreciation for squab and dungeness crab. I see the salt and pepper ribs get top reviews - may have to try that as well.

FD

[lemons]

Boy, am I glad to read this. Loved YL for years and visited whenever I was in SF, but the last couple of visits (the last about 18 months ago, maybe) it hasn't been nearly what it once was. What a pleasure. Will look for cheapo airfares just for that crab.

[shanghaikid]

the curry beef brisket i had was very rich in curry taste. the beef brisket very tender.
curry not the usual american fare but maybe hong kong or indian origined.

[peterme]

I have been eating their salt and pepper prawns for something close to 25 years. Best I've ever had. Eat them whole, head and all, for the best experience.

[FattyDumplin]

definitely. it's like getting a dish full of the fried amaebi heads at a sushi joint, for a fraction of hte price.

[walker]

Next time try that salt & pepper sparerib (which is pork cutlet). I also love their chow fun; it's a bit different from other chow funs.

[hyperbowler]

How much did they charge for the crab? I've noticed them weighing them, so I assume they charge per pound. And did you have it salt & pepper style or just steamed with ginger scallion on the side?

I had the squab there recently and agree that it's excellent. It comes with a golden roasted head on the plate... not sure if you're supposed to eat it, but I found it missing from my box of leftovers!

[FattyDumplin]

$29 flat rate. Probably pricey by chinatown standards, but it was a good-sized crab. I had it stir-fried with ginger scallion. Were I to do it again, I'd get it steamed with ginger scallion on the side - I feel like the stir frying overpowered the natural deliciousness of the crab.

Hmm, the head? I ate it, like a lollipop. Maybe wasn't supposed to eat it, but it sure tasted good going down.

[kevin]

I also order a few dishes as a solo diner. But maybe in Chinese restaurants they viewed it more as sharing a bunch of dishes. But also 29 bucks for the whole crab doesn't sound bad, especially if it's at least a pound and a half.

[FattyDumplin]

was definitely 1.5# or more.

[kevin]

Sweet. thanks fatty dumplings.

[Robert Lauriston]

Unfortunately Yuet Lee is closed Tuesdays.

[FattyDumplin]

Ok, that is really really disappointing :( May just have to go to the ferry building then for lunch. Seems like a lot of nicer restaurants are tied up this week by some conference.

[FattyDumplin]

Any other rec on where I can get good dungeness? Open to Chinese or other cuisines. Always interested in new preperations...

Thanks!

[tjinsf]

woodhouse fish company does fresh dungeness served half or whole.

[chefj]

For Vietnamese roast Pepper Crab you can go to PPQ Dungeness Island,Thanh Long, or Yummy Yummy.